An international workshop was held in 2013 with a group comprised of scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders. The workshop focused on how new scientific information related to the effects of underwater noise on marine life influences permitting practices for human activities at sea. Also discussed were how individual countries regulate underwater noise and opportunities for harmonizing approaches on an international scale. The workshop was intended to build momentum toward an international exchange of information and to potentially establish a network for the regulation community. Large gaps in knowledge still exist. In particular, hearing sensitivity in baleen whales, long-term effects of TTS and relevant information on other taxa such as bony fishes, sharks, or invertebrate species, need to be studied more intensively. Regulators need reliable and understandable baseline information on cause-effect relationships. This information could be partially provided through targeted training material for regulators. Another critical regulator need is for opportunities to speak with each other and share knowledge across wide geographic regions. Additional keys to future success are commitments from the regulatory senior management and politicians, invite nations who were not represented in the discussions so far and raise awareness of this topic across a broad audience, including the public.
A prototype telepresence communications system was designed, piloted, and tested for use in informal science education institutions to provide public, student, and educator interactions with scientists aboard ships and in the University of Rhode Island Graduate School
of Oceanography (GSO) Inner Space Center (ISC). In addition to providing opportunities for the engagement of scientists with diverse audiences, a goal of this initiative was to promote an appreciation and understanding of the ocean, while exposing aquarium visitors to advanced telepresence
communication technologies. The project partnership was comprised of a leading ocean science research and education institution (the GSO); two national ocean science education networks—the National Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence Network and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's Office of Exploration and Research Education Alliance; and two partner aquariums—Mystic Aquarium and South Carolina Aquarium. The main outcomes of the project were as follows: (1) a partnership of ocean science research and informal science education professionals
that linked ocean scientists and informal science institution staff and visitors; (2) a state-of-the-art hardware and software system for partner aquariums capable of delivering live and prerecorded ocean exploration experiences to visitors; (3) professional development for informal science
educators focused on educating the public and improving ocean literacy; (4) a useful and effective digital media interface and software for communicating and interacting with the ocean science content; and (5) an understanding of how live and prerecorded ocean exploration experiences affect
aquarium visitor ocean literacy.
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